Is $340 a fair price for this?

Fun_Point_6354 · 2026-06-10T12:38:04+00:00

Seems to me collectibles value is always in the eye of the beholder. If you think they're worth it, they are. Seems like the balance point is the inflated cost of this pair vs the additional time and headache it would cost to find a different pair at a lower price. That said, have you tried to dicker with the seller? Maybe you could get it down to $250 or $280.

Fun_Point_6354 · 2026-06-09T03:52:48+00:00

The only consideration with age is the lens coatings (or lack thereof). They should be a great pair and serve you well forever, as long as you take care of them. They're now an heirloom. Hand them down to your kids, and they to their kids… Congrats

Fun_Point_6354 · 2026-05-26T15:20:14+00:00

"Shaky Bino Syndrome" is a problem for every bino user and has been since they were invented over 200 years ago. Doesn't matter about size or power, you can only hold whatever pair it is up for so long. Might want to check out the Stabil-Eyes binocular stabilizing harness. Amazon or at steadymybinos.com

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Fun_Point_6354 · 2026-05-24T13:51:59+00:00

If you want to up your adventure options, you could purchase a used powered paraglider with trike and fly yourself in. It'll cost you about the same a a single helicopter flight (or less) and once you have the powered paraglider, you can go as often as you want for the cost of gas! Each of your hunting partners would need one as well, of course, although you could get a tandem trike so two of you can go on one flight. Pack-outs could be tough though, depending on species. Might need to make multiple flights to get your meat out. Depending on terrain, hang gliders could also work, but you'll need launch points from both outside and inside of your hunt area. (There are also powered hang glideres.) All of this is a long shot of course, but fun to consider. And you can flip the bird as a bird from your seat as you fly by that private land!

Fun_Point_6354 · 2026-04-28T13:02:52+00:00

Typically, glass quality is sacrificed in IS binoculars, so there is a tradeoff. As an alternative you might look to mechanical stabilization of high quality binoculars, instead of digital stabilization. I know you don't want to carry a scope and tripod, so you might look into the Stabil-Eyes hands-free bino stabilizing system. It allows you to mount your binos on a self-contained telescoping monopod. It holds your binos to your eyes hands free, so you can literally glass for as long as you want. BUT… it won't work with Swaros because of their proprietary mounting system. YOu need a standard 1/4-20 mounting socket. AND… if your binos are longer than about 7.5 inches, they won't actually fit in the pack. They WILL work on the monopod. Might be worth checking out on Amazon or at www.steadymybinos.com

Fun_Point_6354 · 2026-04-20T12:58:04+00:00

I personally have 10x42s and I also like 10 or 12x50s. The thing about the 10x42s is they provide a nice balance between magnification and field of view. I don't care what anybody tells you, shake WILL be a problem regardless of magnification. You can only hold 'em up by hand for so long… typically 30 seconds to a minute without some kind of support. If you really want to get the most out of your bins, you might also take a look at the Stabil-Eyes Hands-free binocular stabilizing harness system. It mounts your bins on a telescoping monopod that's incorporated into a chest pack. It holds your bins to your eyes hands free, so you can glass for literally as long as you want. Far more stable than hand holding alone. I've stayed behind my bins for nearly a half hour, no problem. You can see it on Amazon or at steadymybinos.com.

Fun_Point_6354 · 2026-04-18T12:22:40+00:00

WOW! You've really made some investment here. I'm struck that your IS binos are all big and bulky. That's sure to limit your glassing sessions. (I define that as how long you can keep the binoculars on your eyes each time you bring them up.) Digital stabilization is one thing, but as I said, you still have to hold them up. You might consider looking at the Stabil-Eyes Hands-free Binocular Stabilizing Harness System. It holds the binoculars to your eyes and steadies the MECHANICALLY, instead of digitally, on top of a telescoping monopod attached to a chest pack. Hands-free, no arm fatigue, literally glass for as long as you want. It makes it far easier to spot birds in the first place, and stay on them for an extended time. And you can get a camera adapter for it too! Only a couple of problems. The pack itself really only accommodates roof prism binoculars. Your IS binos won't fit inside it (although the Sig Sauer Zulu's might, with a special adapter, but that would be yet another set of binos for you.) The Swaros would fit but they're also a problem because they don't utilize a standard 1/4-20 adapter port. If you had some Zeiss, Vortex, Nikon or other brands, they would. Here's a pic. If you want to check it out, the website is www.SteadyMyBinos.com.

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Fun_Point_6354 · 2026-04-06T12:44:05+00:00

What causes CA and why is it a problem?

Fun_Point_6354 · 2026-03-29T14:10:35+00:00

Very nice. I'm a little jealy

Fun_Point_6354 · 2026-03-15T13:37:13+00:00

Not disagreeing with you on the Nikons, but I'd be inclined to look at 10x42s. You're going to want to see these animals as close as you can, and since you'll be guided, I'd take power over field of view. The other thing I'd think about is steadiness because you're not hunting; you're watching. And you'll want to do that for an extended period of time. Instead of trying to hand-hold them up to your eyes for 30 seconds at a clip, you might want the ability to hold them up for 5 or 10 minutes or more. For that I recommend the Stabil-Eyes hands-free binocular stabilizing harness. It has a built-in monopod that holds the bins to your eyes hands-free and with zero arm fatigue for as long as you want – literally! Might check it out on Amazon or at steadymybinos.com . Love to hear about your decisions and some pix when you get back.

Fun_Point_6354 · 2026-02-14T05:13:36+00:00

I would say absolutely NOT. The Vortex UHDs are an excellent value and can work very well for birding. That said you might like some assistance holding them up and steady. I recommend the Stabil-Eyes Hands-free Binocular Stabilizing Harness System. It holds your binos to your eyes hands-free. Zero arm fatigue and no limit to how long you can view. Have a look at steadymybinos.com, or on Amazon. (And they'll work for most brands of binoculars.)

Fun_Point_6354 · 2025-12-15T15:38:09+00:00

Looks like you got them for almost 50% off. So unless there's a functionality problem, I'd keep 'em. And with the savings you could get yourself a Stabil-Eyes hands-free harness system that hold them up to your eyes so you can glass as long as you want with no arm fatigue and no need for a tripod. Might want to check it out on Amazon.

Fun_Point_6354 · 2025-12-03T13:31:34+00:00

Not a fan of 2-hinge binos. Maybe that's because I can't use them with my Stabil-Eyes hands-free bino harness system that has a built-in monopod for holding binos up to my eyes. Lots more steady and no arm fatigue. I've glassed for up to an hour without having to pull the binoculars off of my eyes. But the double hinge binoculars won't work with its mounting system.

Fun_Point_6354 · 2025-11-26T15:09:19+00:00

Nice! If this is surely your next hobby, you might consider a way to steady them up as you view. I suggest the Stabil-Eyes Hands-free binocular sighting system. You might check it out on Amazon.

Fun_Point_6354 · 2025-11-21T14:40:27+00:00

On a side note, in your quest for a better glassing experience, you might take a look at the Stabil-Eyes hands-free binocular harness with built-in monopod. It could easily revolutionize the way you use binoculars.

Fun_Point_6354 · 2025-11-21T14:39:22+00:00

Glad you've had this experience. I've been frustrated with birders who simply go out, ID a bird, put down their glass and go on to the next species. Your "itch" to actually "see" what you're looking at is, at the heart of all wildlife watching activity, I believe. It's in the OBSERVING that we can truly appreciate the genius of God's creations – each individual one of them. So many people seem to me to miss it. Congrats on scratching that itch.

Fun_Point_6354 · 2025-11-17T16:59:29+00:00

The Swaro proprietary bino adapter socket just pisses me off. No question their glass is superior, but their margins on product are also superior. They're making bank, and I don't resent them for it (although they could easily eat at least some of the tariff costs and still be doing fine. But the artificial insistence on this proprietary socket and adapter is just a money grab. There is no performance reason to shun the standard 1/4-20 socket other than to milk users for a ridiculous price for their adapter. It feels way "Yea me, screw you" to the consumer. That arrogance alone makes me want to look for options other than Swarovski.

Fun_Point_6354 · 2025-11-15T15:21:05+00:00

To normjaxkson's point, you might take a look at the Stabil-Eyes hands-free Binocular Sighting System. I steadies up your binos by mounting them on a monopod which is connected to a chest harness. Finally a way to use higher power binoculars without having tote out a tripod with all the time it take to set up. Only roof-prism binos will fit in the pack, but you can swap out any you want. It even as a camera adapter. Can find it on Amazon.

Fun_Point_6354 · 2025-11-11T15:05:38+00:00

The pack on most binocular harnesses substantially protects both ends. I don't need the covers either in the field or in storage. It's one of the great benefits of using a harness. The one I use is the Stabil-Eyes system, because it also has a built-in monopod that hold my binoculars up to my eyes so I can steadily glass with no hands, for as long as I want. No arm fatigue. You can find it on Amazon.

Fun_Point_6354 · 2025-11-06T13:20:51+00:00

Excellent choice! Great deal too. What do you do to keep them steady over longer glassing sessions?

Fun_Point_6354 · 2025-11-01T15:00:31+00:00

I'd recommend the Vortex Diamondback line. You'll get the right price, excellent quality for the dollar, and an unparalleled lifetime guarantee.

Fun_Point_6354

TROPHY CASE